UNC Volleyball 2025-2026
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I think we're a favorite actually. #25 in Evollve's ranking, UTEP is #39. Our loss to South Carolina is our only loss to a team ranked lower than #39.
Should be the favorite against UTEP. And we could push Wisconsin. But we have to PASS and WE HAVE to get something out of our OH2.
We should beat UTEP - but it will be a monumental challenge to beat Wisconsin if we advance. Year in and year out, Wisconsin is one of the best serve and pass teams in the country, which is our biggest problem this year. We struggle passing and we serve lollipops this year. They're lethal - especially their outside Mimi Colyer (the No. 1 pick in the MLV draft) and 6-7 middle Carter Booth. This is one team that I would classify as a potential "nightmare" matchup for us.
I would normally agree but after watching WISC a few weeks, they are erroring a lot on the serve and giving those points away. Andrew and Booth also are two really good middles, but they struggle against teams with a big block. Booth often will hit erratically or not put a ball down even at 6'7" against a well blocking team. Our block has the ability to cause WISC issues, but to your point, WISC earns a lof points and does not gift a ton to opposing teams. We are going to have to pass well enough if we play them in round 2 to score first ball and transition and spread the ball. At this level it cannot be Safi ball. Thorpe needs to get back to low error and we need Pearce/Malone to do something.
I cant remember what match it was, but one fo the matches against the Top 10 of the ACC we have 5 players in doucble digit kills. that is what UNC has to have to compete.
Volleyball Earns Three All-ACC Honors - University of North Carolina Athletics
Safi Hampton was named First Team All-ACC, and Chelsea Thorpe and Maddy May were named Second Team All-ACC, the league announced Monday afternoon.
All of the non-P4, single-bid leagues have a tournament. This year, the SEC started a tournament, and they are the only P4 conference that has one.
Great story on Jackie Taylor
www.espn.com
UNC volleyball's Jackie Taylor honors late father, NFL legend Sean Taylor
Jackie Taylor wears No. 21 for North Carolina. When she leaps for a ball and slams it to the ground, NFL fans remember a man she never met.
www.espn.com
Tournament time:
UNC vs UTEP today at 5:30 on ESPN+
watch
Live stats
UTEP is ranked 15th in RPI so they are a bit underseeded here. They are 27th in votes in the coaches poll which more closely matches their seeding.
UTEP enters the NCAA Tournament with one of the nation's most efficient offenses, hitting .301 as a team, a mark that ranks eighth nationally. Two active Miners with at least 170 kills are hitting above .300—Danika Washington leads the squad at .366 (172 kills), followed by Landry Braziel at .303 (200 kills).
They are similar to UNC with a balanced attack (3 hitters averaging at least 2 kills per set) and they are good at blocking.
they won Conf USA
UNC vs UTEP today at 5:30 on ESPN+
watch
Live stats
UTEP is ranked 15th in RPI so they are a bit underseeded here. They are 27th in votes in the coaches poll which more closely matches their seeding.
UTEP enters the NCAA Tournament with one of the nation's most efficient offenses, hitting .301 as a team, a mark that ranks eighth nationally. Two active Miners with at least 170 kills are hitting above .300—Danika Washington leads the squad at .366 (172 kills), followed by Landry Braziel at .303 (200 kills).
They are similar to UNC with a balanced attack (3 hitters averaging at least 2 kills per set) and they are good at blocking.
they won Conf USA
setting woes continue, can't get any good swings at all
down 9-14 in set 1
Heels come roaring back 14-14 on 5 straight May serves
Ugh heels lose set 1 24-26
Ugly play from both teams, so many wasted opportunities for a good swing. But UTEP logged 5 aces for the deciding stat.
UTEP has done almost nothing from outside hits. the few kills they had were mostly from the center. Tough to lose a set where their hitting percentage was only 0.071
down 9-14 in set 1
Heels come roaring back 14-14 on 5 straight May serves
Ugh heels lose set 1 24-26
Ugly play from both teams, so many wasted opportunities for a good swing. But UTEP logged 5 aces for the deciding stat.
UTEP has done almost nothing from outside hits. the few kills they had were mostly from the center. Tough to lose a set where their hitting percentage was only 0.071
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Weaver has not played and Lovesee is playing injured. I of course have never seen this team play but they certainly look like they are short a middle blocker and an outside hitter.